Nova Iguaçu alerts Ibama to drainage damage during highway works

The City of Nova Iguaçu has filed a complaint with Ibama regarding damage to the drainage network caused by expansion works on the Via Dutra highway. The project, managed by the concessionaire Ecovias Rio Minas, is part of a R$ 14 billion investment plan. Local technicians reported that damaged pipes were not replaced but instead received makeshift adaptations, referred to in the field as ‘bacalhaus’.

City officials expressed concern that inadequate drainage solutions could turn the highway into a barrier for water runoff, increasing the risk of flooding in urbanized areas. The municipality is demanding drainage solutions that are compatible with the city's recent growth.

In a separate regional development, Guarujá has significantly increased its funding for water infrastructure. The city raised R$ 11.1 million from the FEHIDRO fund in 2026, a 640% increase from 2021. These resources are earmarked for micro and macro-drainage works, erosion prevention, and river desilting to mitigate flooding risks.